BROOKLYN, NY – Sophomore Forward Shanade Bernard (Queens, NY/Queens HS of Teaching) and Freshman Forward McKenzie Felix (St. Lucia/Vieux Fort) have been named recipients of the 2010-2011 NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Awards, making the pair the first Avenger Basketball student-athletes to be honored.

Bernard’s selection – the first for any Lady Avenger student-athlete – gives New York State its only Division I Women’s Basketball academic honoree. Felix is the second Avenger honored, following Sophomore Men’s Soccer player Millon Prescott (Brooklyn, NY/Barrouaillie) in 2009-2010. It also makes ASA one of only two schools (and the only Division I institution) to have a Women’s and Men’s Basketball academic honoree.

A Criminal Justice Major, Bernard was honored with the Exemplary Academic Achievement award, given to student-athletes who maintained between 3.60 and 3.79 Grade Point Average.A Business major, Felix received the Pinnacle Award for Academic Excellence, given to student-athletes who maintained a 4.0 GPA during the academic year.

Bernard, a 2009-2010 Region XV Division I Second Team All-Region selection, played in 53 games for ASA and her leadership, frontcourt defense and selflessness on and off the court were tremendous assets to the Women’s Basketball team over the past two seasons.

Felix appeared in 17 contests during the 2010-2011 campaign, starting a large portion during the second half of the season. His defensive ability allowed him to shine when called upon during games.